Florence H. Minard was an artist, illustrator, costume designer and teacher who was born in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine on December 3rd, 1886. 

While information about Ms. Minard is still being uncovered,  we know she studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and graduated with the class of 1903. She spent several years in Providence where she exhibited her paintings with the prestigious R. M. Vose Gallery.  It is thought that through this association and the proximity to Boston she became familiar with the work of such contemporaries as John Singer Sargent and fellow female artist Cecelia Beaux.

From Providence the next record of information is in California where Ms. Minard secured a teaching position at Mills College. She served as a faculty member from 1922 - 1944.  During her time at Mills she was involved with the theater program and also   illustrated Meredith Nicholson's "A Reversible Santa Claus," where her illustrations were described as "perfect." She also illustrated two other children's books: "The Garden of Plynck" by Karle Wilson Baker and "Hints to Pilgrims" by Charles S. Brooks.  Among her many interests and accomplishments, Ms. Minard is credited with saving Berkeley's Aquatic Park from development.

Florence Minard died at the age of 98 in Alameda, California on February 19th, 1985.